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17/04/2013
Long Calls For NI Wild Animals Circus Ban
East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long has welcomed news of a ban on wild animals in circuses in England, saying she hopes it will be introduced in Northern Ireland.
The ban was initially announced following an oral question tabled by Ms Long in the House of Commons in March 2012.
But Alliance says campaigners were concerned that "the move to introduce regulations would be as a replacement for the promised ban rather than a interim measure".
The east Belfast MP signed an Early Day Motion on the subject and has lobbied the Agriculture Minister, Michele O’Neill to follow suit.
Naomi Long MP said: "We have seen a number of individual cases of wild animals being mistreated in circuses, which I know so many people were disgusted with. However, even if they are not being mistreated or wilfully neglected, a circus is no place for them as their welfare and other needs cannot be met in such an environment.
"I have lobbied extensively on this issue and I know that so many of the campaigners are overjoyed at seeing draft legislation produced; a commitment placed in writing. It is over a year ago that the Government announced this forthcoming legislation in response to a question I tabled and they have kept their word that the ban will come into force before the end of this Parliament in 2015."
Ms Long continued: "While this legislation will only affect England, I hope that it will act as a model for the Minister of Agriculture in Northern Ireland, Michele O’Neill, to implement a similar ban here. She had previously stated that she would be willing to implement a ban but would have to review the legal position in light of any developments in the UK or Ireland. Now that Westminster has published this draft legislation, I will be pressing her to follow suit in the Assembly.
"As a member of Belfast City Council, I proposed a ban on wild animal circuses using council property and there are a number of other local Councils that have taken similar decisions; however, only a complete ban in legislation will stop this practice completely."
Circuses in England will be prohibited from using wild animals in their shows from the beginning of December 2015.
(IT/CD)
The ban was initially announced following an oral question tabled by Ms Long in the House of Commons in March 2012.
But Alliance says campaigners were concerned that "the move to introduce regulations would be as a replacement for the promised ban rather than a interim measure".
The east Belfast MP signed an Early Day Motion on the subject and has lobbied the Agriculture Minister, Michele O’Neill to follow suit.
Naomi Long MP said: "We have seen a number of individual cases of wild animals being mistreated in circuses, which I know so many people were disgusted with. However, even if they are not being mistreated or wilfully neglected, a circus is no place for them as their welfare and other needs cannot be met in such an environment.
"I have lobbied extensively on this issue and I know that so many of the campaigners are overjoyed at seeing draft legislation produced; a commitment placed in writing. It is over a year ago that the Government announced this forthcoming legislation in response to a question I tabled and they have kept their word that the ban will come into force before the end of this Parliament in 2015."
Ms Long continued: "While this legislation will only affect England, I hope that it will act as a model for the Minister of Agriculture in Northern Ireland, Michele O’Neill, to implement a similar ban here. She had previously stated that she would be willing to implement a ban but would have to review the legal position in light of any developments in the UK or Ireland. Now that Westminster has published this draft legislation, I will be pressing her to follow suit in the Assembly.
"As a member of Belfast City Council, I proposed a ban on wild animal circuses using council property and there are a number of other local Councils that have taken similar decisions; however, only a complete ban in legislation will stop this practice completely."
Circuses in England will be prohibited from using wild animals in their shows from the beginning of December 2015.
(IT/CD)
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